I was slowly dying from Silverthorn Wolfsbane, and there was only one cure—the Miracle Elixir. But my mate, Leo Ashford, bought it and gave it to my adoptive sister, Jane Smith. He did it because he thought I was faking my illness.

I gave up on the treatment and swallowed a potent painkiller instead. It would kill me in three days by shutting down my organs.

In those three days, I gave up everything. I handed over the fur manufacturing business I built from the ground up to Jane, and my parents praised me for caring about my sister.

I offered to sever our mate bond, and Leo praised me for finally being sensible.

When I told my son he could call Jane "mommy", he happily said that his new mommy was the best!

I transferred all my savings to Jane, and no one seemed to notice anything out of the ordinary. They were just pleased with my "better behavior".

"Viola is finally not so bad."

I wondered—would they regret it after I was gone?

Viola Smith's POV

The doctor looked at me with pity as I swallowed a heavy dose of painkillers.

Three days left to live. That was what they had told me.

I took the elevator up to the VIP floor. My dad, Charlie Smith, was slicing fruit for Jane. Meanwhile, my mom, Wendy Carter, was curled up beside her, watching a movie.

The moment I opened the door, the happy chatter stopped.

"Didn't you say you were on your deathbed this morning? What now? No one believed your lie, so you came back to pick on Jane again?

"Viola, from this moment on, your father and I aren't leaving Jane's side. You won't get another chance to hurt her," Mom said coldly, stepping in front of the bed to block me.

"We're the Smith family—nobles of Moonfall Pack. We have standards, and we're respected. But you? You've always been hot-tempered and jealous. You even faked being sick just to steal the Miracle Elixir meant for Jane!"

Dad stood beside Mom, just as defensive, like a hen guarding their chick.

And behind them, Jane stuck out her tongue at me with a smug little smile.

I smiled bitterly. I had heard this before. Every time, I would shout back. I would tell them I never touched Jane and try to prove how fake she really was.

But all I got in return was my parents' distrust and disgust.

More distance. Less love.

And now?

I was dying.

There was no point in explaining anything anymore.

"Anyway, it's good that you're here. Saves me the trouble of calling you. I have something to say," Dad said with a cold expression.

"I actually have something to say too," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "Jane's always wanted my fur business, right? Well, I've been thinking. Since we're family. I'll give it to her."

The cold expression on my parents' faces cracked momentarily. They exchanged glances then looked at me.

"You're serious?" Dad asked. "Is this some kind of trick? Are you asking for something in return?"

They couldn't believe it. Their first reaction was to think I was playing a trick on them, and I couldn't blame them.

Jane had been eyeing the fur company I had built from scratch for years. My parents had tried everything to convince me to hand it over.

Every talk ended in a fight, and every fight chipped away at whatever family love we had left.

But now?

I was dying.

What good was a business to a dead woman?

"You should've done this a long time ago," Dad said softly. His voice relaxed, and his eyes finally looked kind.

Mom stepped forward and gently held my hand. "You've grown up. You're finally acting sensible."

She smiled warmly. "I know you created the company, but Jane's been top of her class in finance and business at university. If anyone can take your company and turn it into the top fur brand in the country, it's her."

I nodded quietly and handed the signed transfer papers to Jane. As I stared at my signature on the bottom of the paper, I caught sight of Jane's expression.

Jane looked surprised at first, but when no one else was watching, she shot me a smug, victorious smile.

In this competition for family affection, I had lost.

"Here, drink some water. You must be thirsty."

Mom offered me a glass of water and gently brushed my hair back, her smile soft and sweet.

I nearly cried.

Why was it only when I gave something to Jane that Mom treated me like her daughter?

I couldn't help but wonder…

After I was gone, and when they finally saw who Jane really was—

Would they regret how cold they were to me?

-

When I returned home from the hospital, my son and mate were having dinner at the table.

"This cream of mushroom soup is amazing, Dad," Mark said with a grin.

"Your Aunt Jane loves it too. We'll bring her some after dinner."

They were laughing and chatting, looking like the perfect little family. But the second they saw me walk in, everything changed.

"Why are you home?"

Leo Ashford set down his spoon, staring at me in confusion. The spread of food on the table seemed to hurt my eyes.

Mark's gaze was distant, as if he were looking at a stranger.

That was when I realised that Leo knew how to cook, and he was good at it too.

I never knew that.

I used to be the one who cooked. The one who worked long hours to pay the bills. The one who held the house together.

But Leo always complained that my cooking was terrible.

Even Mark picked up on it. He started acting like I wasn't good enough to be his mother.

I gave everything to this family—my time, my energy, my whole life.

And in the end, not one of them respected me.

Back then, if they gave me the cold shoulder like this, I would've snapped. I would've shouted, "Why can't I come home? Why do you look at me like I don't belong here?"

But not anymore.

I didn't answer. I just started packing my things quietly.

When I didn't answer, Leo hesitated for a moment, then walked over to me.

"Viola, I wanted to talk to you about something."

His voice was softer this time, almost guilty.

"Your sister just started her treatment, and the Miracle Elixir is affecting her emotions. Makes her feel down. To keep her spirits up and to help with her recovery, your parents suggested that she and I go through the Marking Ceremony.

"They hope it'll make her feel better."

My heart sank, and for a second, I thought I had misheard.

"You agreed to it?"

Leo looked uncomfortable at my response. "Viola, Jane may not be your real sister, but she's been part of this family since your parents adopted her. You want her to get better, don't you?"

He paused, like he was choosing his words carefully. "We're just going through the Marking Ceremony. The witch says it'll help Jane recover faster, as it'll lift her mood. It won't change anything between us. I'm still your mate and Mark's dad."

Before I could respond, Mark spoke up. "Mommy, Aunt Jane's really upset. The doctor said it's bad for her health. So please agree with Dad, okay?"

I stared at them both.

One was the man I had loved for years, the other my son.

I had given everything to both of them. Every piece of me. As a mate, as a mother. I had sacrificed it all.

Why were they treating me like this?

Why would they betray my love, just for Jane?

I stood there silently for a long time.

What did it matter now? I was dying anyway.

Jane wanted my things? Fine. She could have them all. I didn't want everything I had anymore.

I wiped away the tear that slipped down my cheek, then looked up at Leo.

"Okay. Fine."

Leo's face lit up with surprise and excitement. He quickly grabbed the papers from the table. "Great! This is the Mate Bond Dissolution Agreement. Once you sign, we'll formally reject our bond and be done with it."

I felt like my heart was shattering. So he had planned this all along.

Leo really wanted to end things between us, didn't he? To be with Jane?

"Mommy, just sign it," Mark said, handing me the pen.

I took it and quickly signed the paper. Once Leo and I rejected each other, the ridiculous conversation ended.

Then, I went upstairs to rest.

Leo solemnly promised from behind me, "Viola, when Jane's fully recovered later on, I'll end things with her. Believe me—my heart will always be yours. This is just a formality."

I pursed my lips. In my heart, I already knew the truth—we were over.

Then, I heard him sigh and add, "Viola, you've become more composed now—not as reckless and unreasonable as before. Back when we used to argue, I wasn't always right either. I owe you an apology.

"Once Jane is better, I'll take care of you. I won't upset you anymore."

"Mommy, I won't make you angry again either! You've been so generous and selfless to Aunt Jane. I'm really proud of you!"

Their words hit me like a wave of cold water. Their words contained gratitude and care, and all of it started only after the bond was broken.

How ironic.

Before, I had hoped for something. Maybe even expected it. But now, as I headed upstairs, I felt nothing but numbness.

It didn't matter anymore.

I was dying anyway.

I tried to hurry up the stairs, but before I could reach the top, everything went black.

I woke up to the shock of cold water splashing across my face. I shivered, gasping as I blinked up at the ceiling.

Leo and Mark were standing over me, their faces tight with frustration. They didn't seem worried.

Just… disappointed.

"Mommy, are you pretending again?" Mark asked, his voice flat. "You've used this fainting trick so many times. Can you try something new? Daddy and I are supposed to deliver Aunt Jane her mushroom soup. You've wasted our time, and now the soup's cold!"

Mark was clearly angry.

Leo looked disappointed, and he was holding a glass of ice water in his hand.

"Viola, stop it. Even though we've dissolved our mate bond, I still love you. Don't try to test my feelings for you with tricks like pretending to faint."

I slowly came to my senses, realizing what had just happened.

I had passed out. But instead of rushing me to the hospital or getting me medical help, they had thrown a glass of ice water in my face to wake me up.

It was laughable.

If they had just unblocked their link to me, they would know I wasn't pretending. I was really dying. But they hadn't. Everyone had cut off their connection with me.

No one cared enough to check.

"Mommy, you look fine. You're all rosy and healthy. You don't look sick at all. Next time, try a new trick if you're going to pretend."

Mark's words cut through me like a knife.

I forced myself to stand up, ignoring the weakness that nearly made my legs buckle beneath me.

The doctor's potent painkiller was working, making me look healthier than I was. But I knew, deep down, my body was already fading.

"I'm not pretending. I might have skipped a meal, that's all. If you want to go to the hospital, I'll go with you. The transfer agreement still needs a few more signatures."

Leo clearly wanted to say more, but when he saw me pick up the agreement, he simply nodded and followed me to the hospital.

So—he already knew about the agreement.

"Viola, you're here."

When we arrived at the hospital room, Jane was watching a movie, her complexion undeniably worse than mine. If anything, she looked like the one who was seriously ill.

Despite her warm greeting, the challenge in her eyes—that unmissable arrogance—cut sharper than any blade.

"Viola, thanks for handing the company over to me. Don't worry, I'll make it even more successful."

"With Jane managing the company, you won't have to work so hard. You'll still get your share of the profits, and it'll be so much easier for you," Mom added, grabbing my hand with a smile.

I forced a smile back. "Yeah, I agree. That's why I'm going to hand over all my assets to Jane to manage. That way, I can relax."

Everyone froze, shocked. They knew just how much that was worth.

"Viola, are you serious? Even the trust fund in the bank?" Leo's voice was a mix of shock and confusion.

I was puzzled. Jane had always wanted everything I had, and the whole family was always there to support her. When I refused, I was called selfish, rude, and ungrateful. Now that I was finally giving it to her, they were acting strange.

Wasn't this what they had been pushing for all along?

After a long silence, it was Dad who finally spoke up. "Viola, you've really grown up. You're being kind to your sister, looking out for her now."

"Should've been like this from the start," Mom chimed in. "We're family. What's yours is ours. No need to draw a line so firmly everywhere."

"It's good to see you two getting along. Your mother and I are relieved," Dad added with a smile.

But were they really relieved? Did they honestly think Jane was capable of managing all that wealth?

At home, she fooled everyone with her fake kindness. But out in the world, no one would buy it.

I felt a tickle in my nose. When I rubbed it, my fingers came away smeared with blood.

"Why the nosebleed? The humidity in this room is perfectly fine," Mom murmured, handing me a tissue.

I wiped the blood away casually, then tested the waters. "Mom, Dad... if I died one day, would you be sad?"

There was a pause, a heavy silence in the room.

Dad looked at me with a serious expression, his voice sharp. "Viola, don't play these tricks. Don't pretend to be sick just to get sympathy."

He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Your wolf may not be the strongest, but this is just a small problem that can be easily cured. Don't try to pull stunts like this in front of us again."

The room, which had been peaceful just moments ago, suddenly felt heavy again with Dad's words.

I smiled bitterly.

What wolf? My wolf had already died while fighting off the Silverthorn Wolfsbane. That toxin, laced with silver, had seeped into my bloodstream and eventually corroded my organs.

And in the end, it killed my wolf.

"Dad, I know Viola lied before, acted out, and pretended to be sick. But that was the old her. I believe she's better now," Jane said, looking at me with a sharp, taunting look. She sounded like she was defending me, but all I could hear was her reminding everyone of my past mistakes.

"Alright, just don't mess up again. Look at you—so full of life," Dad muttered, then turned to Jane with undisguised tenderness. "Meanwhile, Jane's the one who really needs care."

His voice dropped, heavy with concern. "This illness... her healing factor's almost nonexistent now."

"I think Aunt Jane needs more love and care," Mark said, leaning over the bed. "Please get better soon, Aunt Jane!"

I felt a sharp pain in my chest, and all the small hope I had left was crushed.

I wiped away the tears that had started to fall, then looked at Mark and said, "You said your Aunt Jane is the best, right? Do you want her to be your mommy instead?"

I smiled and said, "I've decided. From now on, Jane will be your mommy. Are you happy?"

Mark's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Really. Jane can stay with you from now on. She can pick you up from kindergarten and cook you better meals than I ever could. How does that sound? Aren't you happy?"

Before I could say more, Mark grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. "I'm so happy, Mommy. You're the best!"

Then, without a second thought, he rushed to Jane's bedside and called out, "Mommy!"

The pain in my chest was unbearable.

It had been so long since my son had shown me any affection. I couldn't even remember the last time he held my hand, or kissed the back of my hand like that.

And the price for all of that was letting him call someone else "Mommy".

My parents and Leo watched the scene with smiles on their faces, pleased.